Charlottetown, June 20, 2018 – Seven Chairpersons of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women met recently in Charlottetown for an annual Chairs Circle discussion about gender equality.

Yvonne Deagle, Chairperson, PEIACSW

“This was my first time meeting with the past Chairpersons,” said Yvonne Deagle, the current Chairperson of the Advisory Council. “I was so impressed with the women I met. They have so much history, and they know so much about justice, health, leadership, violence against women, and human rights.”

The past Chairpersons reviewed a draft of the 2018 Equality Report Card that the current Council will release on June 27th. Deagle says the past Chairs added a longer-term view to the Report Card analysis. “So many of the issues for women have been going for a long, long time,” noted Deagle.

While the Equality Report Card charts the provincial government’s progress towards women’s equality goals, a theme in the Chairs Circle was the role of PEI’s community sector in creating positive change for women, children, and families. “As employees and as volunteers, women are the main force behind many community-based organizations that help Islanders,” said Mari Basiletti, chairperson from 2016 to early 2018. “The community sector provides real services and support – where vulnerable Islanders need it.”

Looking at the draft Report Card, many areas where the Chairs Circle saw good progress, it was thanks to effective support for and partnership with community-based organizations.

“Governments need to value community organizations more,” said Sharon O’Brien, chairperson from 1996 to 2000. “Money is part of it. Work with people living in poverty or dealing with violence or needing advocates for their rights requires resources.”

But, added Anne Nicholson, chairperson from 1993 to 1996, “Valuing community organizations also means more than money. Too much time and energy that could go to providing necessary services goes into building relationships with government.”

“Imagine what work would stop happening in PEI if the woman-led community sector went on strike,” said Colleen MacQuarrie, chairperson from 1992 to 1993. She noted that PEI is the only province in Canada without a minister mandated to work with the community sector. “The community sector is organizing and getting united. In the future, government will want to have a liaison to answer that voice. Valuing community organizations is a gender issue in PEI.”

The Chairs Circle discussions on other themes, including justice, health, poverty, and violence, will be reflected in the 2018 Equality Report Card, being launched at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 27, at Cornwall Town Hall. All are welcome to the launch.

National Status of Women Coalition Meeting Concludes in Halifax

La version française suit.

(June 8, 2018) The National Coalition of Provincial and Territorial Advisory Councils on the Status of Women held its annual meeting in Halifax June 5 to 6. The meeting ended with a new partnership between the coalition and the Canadian Women’s Foundation and a renewed commitment to advancing women’s leadership in Canada.

The meeting was hosted by the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women and participants discussed current challenges in achieving gender equality in our respective provinces and territories, while sharing resources and best practices.

Paulette Senior, CEO and president of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, was a guest speaker and provided coalition members with her advice on how women’s leadership can strengthen women’s voices in Canada. She also discussed the recently formed Gender Equality Network Canada, and their work to develop a national Gender Equality Action Plan.

Michelle Kelly, the coalition’s chair, led the group in a strategic planning discussion and identified next steps and future directions for the coalition.

“It is incredible to bring together a group of dynamic women to discuss how we can work collaboratively to ensure women’s voices are heard across our country,” said Ms. Kelly.

Ms. Kelly is the president of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women and a partner with Cox and Palmer, practicing in commercial and insurance litigation.

The coalition discussed current issues and emerging best practices in supporting women’s leadership, addressing harassment and ending gender-based violence. Participants learned about two specific models in Nova Scotia, the domestic violence court program and legal advice for sexual assault survivors.

Michelle’s term as chair of the coalition was renewed for one year. The 2019 annual meeting date will be determined by the members of the coalition in the coming months.

The National Coalition of Provincial and Territorial Advisory Councils on the Status of Women consists of provincial and territorial advisory councils from across the country dedicated to advancing women’s issues and gender equality within their individual regions, and nationally. This organization emerged following the federal government decision to eliminate the National Advisory Council on the Status of Women in 1995.

Hon. Kelly Regan, Minister Responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women in Nova Scotia, joins members of the National Coalition of Provincial and Territorial Advisory Councils on the Status of Women during their annual meeting in Halifax, June 5-6 .

Financial and time resources were contributed by local unions, women’s, and social justice organizations (see complete sponsor list at the end of the photo gallery). A special thanks to the women of the IWD Organizing Committee who arranged for all the participatory activities and excellent presentations: Paola Soto, Ann Wheatley, Debbie and Ellie Langston, Amy Clerk, Nancy Clement, Taylor Carruthers, Hannah Gehrels, Donna Dingwell, and Mistress of Ceremonies Farahnaz Rezaei.

(You can view the photos by scrolling down on this page or click on the first photo and flip through the photo carousel that displays, using the arrows).

International Women’s Day 2018 #HerToo

As we come together to celebrate International Women’s Day 2018 (March 8), let us be reminded of the many achievements that women have accomplished as we strive to meet our full potential. We recognize the many ways women contribute to creativity and success in our global community, yet IWD is a day that slips by with little acknowledgement in Canada.

The year 2017 brought forward the #MeToo movement, which brought solidarity with women who have been sexually harassed and assaulted. The #MeToo movement was initiated by American activist Tarana Burke more than a decade ago, and has gathered strength from celebrities speaking out about sexual harassment in their lives. All over the world women and men are refusing to be shamed and silenced any longer. The time has come for gender equality in homes and workplaces. The time has come for women to be who they are and love whom they choose. The time has come for women to be free from violence and harassment.

We know that violence does not discriminate. We also know that just being a woman means overcoming countless obstacles daily. We live in sexist societies, but living in poverty, or with racism, or without access to basic human rights expands the likelihood of abuse and mistreatment. So today, especially, we say #HerToo. We take a broader look around the world at the realities women face and know that we have a long way to go to achieving true equality.

From the Global Citizen Website, here are some facts that show why we need to think about #HerToo – why we need greater equality now:

In 2015, there were only 21 female heads of state in the entire world.

Over 150 countries have at least one actively sexist law.

Each minute, 28 girls are married before they are ready.

At least 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lifetime.

In most countries, women only earn between 60% and 75% of men’s wages, for the same work.

There are approximately 781 million adults worldwide lacking literacy – and two-thirds of them are women.

Around the world, 63 million girls still need to go to school.

Today, on International Women’s Day, let us celebrate our successes as women, and let us also use our power to raise up the voices of women around the world fighting to be safe, free and thriving citizens.

Yvonne Deagle is the newly appointed Chairperson of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

Mark Your Calendars!

Come join us to celebrate International Women’s Day! We will be singing, sharing experiences, and of course DANCING! There will be a kids station and lots of opportunity for everyone to be playful. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity worldwide.

Refreshments provided. This is a FREE event – open to every age and gender.

For details contact Michelle at info@peistatusofwomen.ca or 902-368-4510.

Three members of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women completed their maximum five-year terms this January and “graduated” from the Council. At Council’s January meeting in Cornwall, continuing Council members and staff presented all three with service awards recognizing their many contributions to Council’s work. Mari Basiletti, Melissa Mullen, and Patti Wheatley all provided wonderful service to the Council, and we will miss them very much.

For more information about each woman’s work on the Council, please read the individual awards below:

L-R: Melissa Mullen, Treasurer; Mari Basiletti, Chairperson; and Patti Wheatley, Council member; pose for a photo following the presentation of service awards at a recent Council meeting in Cornwall.

Service Award – The PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women thanks Mari Basiletti

Mari Basiletti of Canoe Cove has served on the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women since 2013 and as Chairperson since 2016. Mari was the first out lesbian woman ever appointed to Council as a member and as Chairperson. We are so proud that she openly shared her love of her partner and their family at the Council table. Mari’s patience, kindness, integrity, and love of women inform everything she does. Her experience working in mental health with people who experienced trauma, abuse, stigmatization, and marginalization helped guide our work with compassion. She shared her great skills as a listener, a dedicated worker and contributor, an artist, and a good friend with Council members and staff. Mari loves her community, and what she considers her community is broad and inclusive.

Thank you, Mari, for your loving and conscientious leadership to help the PEIACSW advance the status of women in PEI.

Service Award – The PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women thanks Melissa Mullen

Melissa Mullen has served as a member of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women since 2013. Melissa is always accessible to her community to bring forward issues to the Council table, and she represents her community well, whether farmers, rural women, artists, or caregivers to youth and older adults. Melissa attended and participated in Council special events, often helping to carry the load with not only physical work, but also the emotional work of building and maintaining relationships of mutual respect. She took a special interest in study groups on Truth and Reconciliation and Women in Canada of the past 50 years. Melissa is creatively driven and ready to go deep in her learning. She is passionate, steady, and unwavering in her work for change to improve Island life for women and families.

Thank you, Melissa, for your dedicated and committed work to help the PEIACSW advance the status of women in PEI.

Service Award – The PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women thanks Patti Wheatley

Patti Wheatley has served as a member of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women since 2013. Patti’s feminism is both instinctive and well-informed, a balance that makes her an essential contributor to the Advisory Council’s analysis. Patti’s strong legal mind and training, her curiosity, and her experience as a valued volunteer with equality-seeking organizations contributed tremendously to Council. Her willingness to ask incisive, challenging questions ensured Council positions that go beyond obvious or easy recommendations and, instead, call for more meaningful and lasting change for Island women and families. We are grateful that Patti shared her early experiences of parenting with Council and that we had her daughter at our meetings, inspiring us to work for the next generation.

Thank you, Patti, for your strong and intelligent insight to help the PEIACSW advance the status of women in PEI.

Council members and staff gathered for a photo at their January meeting in Cornwall: Back row L-R: Jane Ledwell, Becky Tramley, Patti Wheatley, Madison Blanchard, Michelle Jay, Melissa Mullen, and Debbie Langston. Front row L-R: Yvonne Deagle, Mari Basiletti, and Diana Lariviere (Missing from photo: Council members Lalana Paul and Pam Montgomery).

The selection of photos below are from the December 6, 2017 Memorial Service for Victims of Violence held at the Confederation Centre of the Arts (venue sponsor). Thanks to everyone who attended the service and participated in the 2017 Purple Ribbon Campaign Against Violence.

We remember 198928 Years Since the Montreal Massacre

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